Meet Shanda Pollard | Thriftier & Financial Risk Analyst

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shanda Pollard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shanda, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was simple…I wanted to do something that I love! I love dressing up/down with a twist. I want to share my style with the world. I’ve been an avid thriftier for 10 years now and I found out last year that reselling clothing was a thing and a big thing! I started with just cleaning out my closet during the pandemic and thought wow I could really do this as a part time gig. From there the ideas just kept rolling, I took a workshop to refine my business, and officially launched The Trendy Upscale Boutique March 2021.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve been working in the financial world for about 10 years now all while working a PT job in retail. By day I’m a financial risk analyst, which goes along with my degrees for the most part. I’ve always wanted to be this boss babe in a suit so I took the necessary steps to becoming one…4 year degree followed by a Master’s degree. It wasn’t until I got into the dream company I wanted to work for and climb up the corporate ladder I realized I wanted more. I still wanted to have my own business something I control something I love to do, even if at this moment it is just part time, I love it. My business takes away my stress of my FT job and life, I can sit back and have fun and play dress up and lets not forget SHOPPING. Whether it’s shopping for a client or shopping for my next live sale. The Trendy Upscale Boutique offers an array of pre-loved clothing and shoes for the trendy fashionistas. From 90’s vintage to modern day trends. Always stylish and affordable, you will not be disappointed with my personal selections.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting the area we would first start off with a nice dinner on Friday night. There is this nice rooftop bar, Hendrick’s located downtown. After dinner if we’re in the mood we’ll go dancing at Prime 1004 which is a lounge located in downtown as well. Saturday we’ll get our day at Soda City, a farmer’s market located downtown on Main Street, lots of local vendors as well as food trucks. After Soda City we’ll do some shopping, thrifting of course. If she’s looking for more high end items I’ll take her to a consignment shop Revente located in an area called 5points. Once we finish up there we could grab a bite to eat and have lunch at Finlay Park. Check out the new art exhibit at the local museum. At some point in the day we’ll need to incorporate a nap, because that is just what we do. Then we’ll have dinner at Hall’s Chophouse downtown followed by another night of dancing. Sunday we will have brunch at a local restaurant preferably with bottomless mimosas. Then spend the rest of the afternoon couch surfing and catching up on our shows until she departs later that evening.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Keren Charles Duclosel – Thrifting Atlanta (Mentor) Ayana Wellington Pitterson – Thrifting Diva (Mentor)

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